HUMIRA CARD $$$ - important for new Humira folks

[Mark in Seattle]

I wanted to mention this because the importance of this really escaped me when my GI's nurse was explaining it to me, but in fact, this benefit that is available through Humira ended up saving me about $2k!!! I'm referring to the Humira card which is supposed to ensure that your monthly medical copayment never exceeds $5.00. I didn't think about this last year since my drug copay for Humira was only like $16, but this year, with a whole new deductible to be met before I receive benefits, I definitely thought about this benefit offered through Humira.

My employer-paid health insurance has a HIGH deductible that must be met each year before they will pay any medical or drug bills. Well, I just had my Humira shipped to me and Abbot's insurance company ended up paying the $2k cost of the first shipment for 2013, so this gets applied against my deductible (my deductible is more than $2k). It's quite a nice little chunk of change to save.

I may be in a unique position of having a high deductible health plan, but on the other hand, maybe not since that seems to be the trend nowadays.

Anyway, I just wanted to be sure to mention this since it's the start of the year and if anyone else out there has a similar scenario as mine, don't overlook this terrific savings!

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[traci0531]

This is great to know! I am starting the process of starting Humira. My insurance does cover if after a prior authorization is processed and the copay isn't too bad, but paying $5 is better! I'll have to look into this.

 

[EthanPSU]

I actually had no idea about this and got about 10 or so doses with the 50$ co-pay and then one call to order I had a real nice girl on the phone and she told me all about this since she saw I was paying 50$, I just received my card in the mail last week and registered it. It's only 5$ now, soooo much better then $50.

 

[tots]

I have failed Remicade miserably (meaning I am still miserable) so I am going to
give Humira a try.

Not only did our medical up $275 a month through my husbands employer, but we now have a family deductible .That too has almost doubled.

Where can I inquire about this? I really do need the help!


Lauren

 

[EthanPSU]

Just go to Humira website, type it in google. If you can't find it ill post a link in a few when im not on my phone.

Edit. Here it is...

http://www.humira.com/myhumira/financial-assistance.aspx

 

[tots]

EthanPSU

Your always helpful!!
I will post if I can't find it

I will google and hope they are more helpful than Renovate was!


lauren

 

[EthanPSU]

Just edited my post with the link. Here it is again.

http://www.humira.com/myhumira/financial-assistance.aspx

 

[tots]

lol- my kids laugh at my lack of knowledge the computer/tablet!!

tanks for the info!

how long did the Humira take to start helping? any other meds at the same time?

lauren

 

[EthanPSU]

Actually, I am going to the doc this thursday to see what meds I can get put on ontop of Humira, at the start Humira worked great but then it started to slow down recently so I am going to see what meds I can be put on to help with the Humira, i'll let you know what happens thursday.

 

[tots]

thank you- I have an appt next week . the more info I have the better!


lauren

 

[mewringo13]

I went to weekly injections and I still have to pay 360 bucks outs of pocket... I found out that the humira card only covers up to 500 dollars with your own insurance...

Abbot does have their assistance program, and yes I got the paperwork into them ASAP, now i am just waiting for it to be processed... it would help tons if they would lower it to 5 bucks even 25 for the month would be a world of difference than 360...

 

[Mark in Seattle]

What I was told is that it covers $500/month for 11 months out of the year but for the first month they cover more because that's when folks have their deductibles to be met. I thought they told me they cover $1,500 for the first shipment of the year, but it turned out they covered $2,250 for the first shipment of the year, at least in my case. If you're doing weekly injections, then you're using twice as much medicine, so maybe that's why you have to pay so much.

I didn't have to turn in any paperwork at all, I just did it over the phone. Maybe you could do it over the phone if you're in a rush.

 

[Miss Underestimated]

If you qualify for the $5 copay card, they just send it to you after you fill out the info on their website. If you have Tricare or Medicare, you have to apply for the Patient Assistance Plan which is a one-time payment of $2,500, and is first-come-first served if you are approved. You have to reapply for it each year. Sucks.

 

[Michelle89]

I am waiting for my initial dose of Humira to arrive in the mail. My GI Nurse had sent my prescription to the pharmacy they use but I got a call yesterday from that pharmacy saying that my insurance wants to use a different pharmacy. Thankfully the first pharmacy forwarded my prescription to the "right" pharmacy and now I'm just waiting....:confused2: Thankfully prednisone seems to be working on my strictures but I would like to get this initial dose of humira started and over with....Not very excited about this new adventure That being said, our family has a major med plan with a $3500pp deductible. So, I'm wondering should I be contacting Humira now before I get started on my initial dose to see we would qualify for any assistance or wait until we get started?

 

[Mark in Seattle]

Michelle89, I would suggest you contact them asap before you get started. It's important to understand the way it works. They give you the largest $ benefit for the first shipment of the year (around $2.2k) and after that they only pay about $500 for each subsequent monthly shipment (at least that's my understanding). So if you get signed up before your initial shipment, then I believe you would pay $0 for your first shipment and have $2.2k applied toward your deductible, leaving you with $1.3k deductible. And then for your second shipment, assuming you have no doctor bills, Humira will pay $500, you will pay $1.3k, and your insurance will pay $.4k, for a total of $2.2k, and your deductible will then be fully met, and you only paid $1.3k out of pocket for your $3.5k deductible.

But if you miss the Humira subsidy for the first shipment, then you only get $500 subsidy and pay $1.7k out of pocket until your deductible is met. At least that's my understanding, but you'd need to confirm it with the Humira folks. It's enough money that I wouldn't hem and haw; I'd look into it.

The way it works is when you place the order with your pharmacy, you provide them with your Humira ID at that time, hence the Humira ID needs to be in place before you place your order; you can't call the pharmacy after the fact and give them the info (or maybe you can but I'm skeptical, better safe than sorry I would think).

 

[tots]

My card worked!

Received my loading doses for $5.00

Now, I get to start using them.

Lauren